January 8, 2025 | GableGotwals represents Jet Commercial Construction, LLC and its owners, Steve Rich and Jake Sharp, in a negligent-misrepresentation and breach-of-contract dispute arising from the construction of a fountain at Caesars Place in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Firm’s litigation team moved to dismiss the individual claims due to lack of personal jurisdiction. The trial court denied the motion and issued subsequent adverse rulings against the individual owners on discovery issues. The litigation team filed a petition for a writ of prohibition with the Nevada Supreme Court, which the Court ultimately granted and directed the trial court to dismiss Rich and Sharp.

The litigation team is led by shareholder Nick V. Merkley and includes shareholders Brooks A. Richardson and J. Blake Patton, associates Gerard M. D’Emilio, and Ashlyn M. Smith, paralegal Rhonda Palmer, and legal assistants Pam Edmonds and Sheri Howard.

GableGotwals is pleased to announce that J. Blake Patton has joined the Oklahoma City office as a litigation shareholder. A business-focused litigator, Blake has a diverse trial and appellate practice before state and federal courts, and administrative agencies. His practice also includes advising on numerous constitutional challenges to legislative action. In addition, he represents clients in federal white-collar criminal investigations and prosecutions, including federal R.I.C.O. prosecutions initiated by the U.S. Department of Justice, cyber fraud investigations related to international aircraft lease and purchase transactions conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Lacey Act investigations conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“We are so happy that Blake joined the Firm. His extensive litigation experience complements our practice and even further deepens our bench of trial lawyers and practice areas,” said Amy Stipe, President of GableGotwals.

Blake received his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law and a B.B.A. in accounting from the University of Oklahoma Price College of Business, where he graduated magna cum laude. He is a NextGen Under 30 Award winner.